The 2026 Arab Media Summit is set to kick off in Dubai on September 15, headlined by an inaugural session featuring Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the three-day event serves as a premier gathering for global media leaders, government officials, and industry innovators. The summit aims to foster deep conversations on the evolving landscape of communication, providing a platform to analyze how media outlets can effectively report on the rapid political and economic shifts currently transforming the Middle East.

With over 175 sessions and 400 speakers, this 24th edition of the summit is the largest to date. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, highlighted that President Al Sharaa’s participation will provide critical insights into the regional climate and the future trajectory of Syria. Beyond high-level dialogues, the event will explore the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and social media on journalism, while celebrating excellence in the field through the prestigious Arab Media Awards and various youth-focused accolades.